DETERMINATION OF QUANTITY OF WOOD USED FOR CURING FLUE-CURED TOBACCO

Abstract

The importance of tobacco to Malawi cannot be overemphasised. It contributes about 60 % of foreign exchange earnings and 13 % of GDP to the country. However, certain activities within the industry have a negative effect on the environment; nearly 25% of total deforestation is attributed to the curing of Flue cured Tobacco. With the shift of balance from Burley to Flue cured Tobacco, no studies have been undertaken to identify the actual species and quantities of wood used in curing Flue cured Tobacco. This study was therefore conducted to characterise and quantify the wood species used in curing Flue cured Tobacco as well as to determine mitigation measures that are undertaken. Results showed that estates preferred exotic species mainly due to convenience and quality end product while clubs preferred indigenous tree species due to its economic advantage. Findings showed no significant difference in the amount of wood used between clubs and estates to cure a tonne of tobacco. The Rocket Barn used the highest quantity of wood (14.8 cubic meters per tonne) while Tunnel was the most economic barn (5.5 cubic per tonne). Despite allocating part of their hectarage to forest as stipulated in the Land Act (2004), smallholder farmers did not own forests and were outsourcing their curing wood from forestry reserves. High cost of raising seedlings is one of the reasons mentioned to hinder forest establishment by smallholder farmers. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that tobacco related deforestation needs to be tackled with seriousness and the current mitigation measures are not addressing the problem.